This Visa now combines the old Family sponsored (138) and STNI (137) visa classes. It is introduced to encourage people with skills in demand (or with family) who do not meet the independent skilled points test.  There are currently Six States and two Territories participating in this scheme to varying degrees:

• South Australia
• Queensland
• New South Wales
• Victoria
• Tasmania
• Western Australia
• Northern Territory
• Australian Capital Territory

Each State or Territory will sponsor migrants who have a skill that they require and this can reduce the processing time for a Visa – often to as little as four months.  You will need to remain in that State for at least two years. There is a points test for this Visa. Alternatively you may use family sponsorship instead with no restriuction on where you live. Both types of sponsorship reduce the points score needed to 100.